In this guide, we’ve organized 100 Most Useful Japanese Phrases, with meanings, romaji (romanization), and examples into categories you’ll actually use — greetings, food, travel, shopping, emotions, and cultural expressions. By the end, you’ll know how to sound natural and confident in real-life conversations.
Table of Contents
Open Table of Contents
1. Greetings & Politeness
Polite greetings are the backbone of the Japanese language.
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning | Example Usage |
|----------|--------|-----------------|---------------|
| おはようございます | Ohayou gozaimasu | Good morning (formal) | At work or school |
| おはよう | Ohayou | Morning (casual) | With friends |
| こんにちは | Konnichiwa | Hello / Good afternoon | Daytime greeting |
| こんばんは | Konbanwa | Good evening | After sunset |
| さようなら | Sayounara | Goodbye | Long-term farewell |
| またね | Matane | See you later | Casual with friends |
| ありがとうございます | Arigatou gozaimasu | Thank you very much | Formal thanks |
| ありがとう | Arigatou | Thanks | Casual thanks |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you | Polite multitool |
| お願いします | Onegaishimasu | Please | Requesting politely |Mini-example:
- 店員: いらっしゃいませ！ (Irasshaimase! = Welcome!)
- 客: こんにちは。テーブルお願いします。 (Hello. A table, please.)
2. Travel & Directions
When traveling in Japan, these phrases are lifesavers.
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning | Example Usage |
|----------|--------|-----------------|---------------|
| 駅はどこですか？ | Eki wa doko desu ka? | Where is the station? | Asking for JR station |
| トイレはどこですか？ | Toire wa doko desu ka? | Where is the bathroom? | Urgent need |
| ホテルはどこですか？ | Hoteru wa doko desu ka? | Where is the hotel? | Travel |
| 右 | Migi | Right | Directions |
| 左 | Hidari | Left | Directions |
| まっすぐ | Massugu | Straight ahead | Taxi or walking |
| 助けてください！ | Tasukete kudasai! | Please help! | Emergency |
| わかりません | Wakarimasen | I don’t understand | Useful reply |
| 日本語が話せません | Nihongo ga hanasemasen | I can’t speak Japanese | Polite disclaimer |
| 英語を話せますか？ | Eigo o hanasemasu ka? | Do you speak English? | Survival phrase |Mini-example:
- 旅行者: 駅はどこですか？ (Where is the station?)
- 通行人: まっすぐ行って右です。 (Go straight, then right.)
3. Food & Drinks
Japanese cuisine comes with unique etiquette.
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning | Example Usage |
|----------|--------|-----------------|---------------|
| いただきます | Itadakimasu | Let’s eat (before meal) | Always before eating |
| ごちそうさまでした | Gochisousama deshita | Thank you for the meal | After finishing |
| 水ください | Mizu kudasai | Water, please | Restaurant |
| メニューをお願いします | Menyuu o onegaishimasu | Menu, please | Dining |
| 美味しい | Oishii | Delicious | Compliment food |
| コーヒー | Koohii | Coffee | Loanword |
| お茶 | Ocha | Tea | Green tea default |
| ビール | Biiru | Beer | Izakaya |
| ご飯 | Gohan | Rice/meal | Daily staple |
| 寿司 | Sushi | Sushi | International favorite |Mini-example:
- Customer: ラーメンを一つお願いします。 (One ramen, please.)
- Waiter: はい、少々お待ちください。 (Yes, one moment please.)
4. Shopping & Money
Shopping in Japan often requires politeness and numbers.
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning | Example Usage |
|----------|--------|-----------------|---------------|
| いくらですか？ | Ikura desu ka? | How much is it? | Checking price |
| 高いですね | Takai desu ne | That’s expensive | Negotiating |
| 安いですね | Yasui desu ne | That’s cheap | Complimenting price |
| これください | Kore kudasai | This one, please | Pointing item |
| クレジットカード使えますか？ | Kurejitto kaado tsukaemasu ka? | Can I use a credit card? | Payment |
| 現金 | Genkin | Cash | Preferred in Japan |
| 円 | En | Yen | Currency |
| レシートをください | Reshiito o kudasai | Receipt, please | After paying |
| 袋いりますか？ | Fukuro irimasu ka? | Do you need a bag? | Supermarket question |
| 大丈夫です | Daijoubu desu | No, thank you / I’m fine | Flexible reply |Mini-example:
- 店員: 袋いりますか？ (Do you need a bag?)
- 客: 大丈夫です。 (No, thank you.)
5. Numbers & Time Expressions
Numbers and time phrases are key for transport and schedules.
| Number | Japanese | Romaji | Example |
|--------|----------|--------|---------|
| 1 | 一 | Ichi | 一本 (ippon = one bottle) |
| 2 | 二 | Ni | 二人 (futari = two people) |
| 3 | 三 | San | 三日 (mikka = three days) |
| 5 | 五 | Go | 五時 (goji = 5 o’clock) |
| 10 | 十 | Juu | 十円 (juuen = 10 yen) |
| 100 | 百 | Hyaku | 百円ショップ (100 yen shop) |Time phrases:
- 今何時ですか？ (Ima nanji desu ka?) → What time is it now?
- 午前 (Gozen) → AM
- 午後 (Gogo) → PM
6. Feelings & Everyday Life
These make small talk and emotions easier.
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning | Example Usage |
|----------|--------|-----------------|---------------|
| 大丈夫ですか？ | Daijoubu desu ka? | Are you okay? | Concern |
| 元気です | Genki desu | I’m fine | Reply |
| 疲れた | Tsukareta | I’m tired | Casual |
| 嬉しい | Ureshii | Happy | Excited mood |
| 悲しい | Kanashii | Sad | Emotional |
| 暑い | Atsui | Hot | Summer complaint |
| 寒い | Samui | Cold | Winter complaint |
| すごい | Sugoi | Amazing | Common exclamation |
| 可愛い | Kawaii | Cute | Culture keyword |
| 面白い | Omoshiroi | Interesting/funny | Conversation filler |7. Politeness & Apologies
Apologies and politeness are essential in Japan.
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning |
|----------|--------|-----------------|
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you |
| ごめんなさい | Gomennasai | Sorry (personal) |
| 失礼します | Shitsurei shimasu | Excuse me (formal) |
| お疲れ様です | Otsukaresama desu | Thank you for your hard work |
| よろしくお願いします | Yoroshiku onegaishimasu | Nice to meet you / Please take care |
| お世話になります | Osewa ni narimasu | Thank you in advance |
| お久しぶりです | Ohisashiburi desu | Long time no see |8. Cultural Expressions (Anime, J-pop, J-drama)
Phrases you’ll hear in media & daily slang.
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning | Context |
|----------|--------|-----------------|---------|
| 頑張って | Ganbatte | Do your best | Encouragement |
| いただきます | Itadakimasu | Let’s eat | Before meal |
| ごちそうさま | Gochisousama | Thanks for the meal | After meal |
| かわいい | Kawaii | Cute | Anime culture |
| かっこいい | Kakkoii | Cool | Compliment |
| やばい | Yabai | Awesome / Dangerous | Slang |
| 本当？ | Hontou? | Really? | Everyday speech |
| うるさい | Urusai | Noisy / Shut up | Casual |9. Mini Dialogues with Japanese Phrases
At the Airport:
- Traveler: タクシーはどこですか？ (Where is the taxi?)
- Staff: 外にあります。 (It’s outside.)
At a Restaurant:
- Customer: 寿司を二人分お願いします。 (Sushi for two, please.)
- Waiter: はい、少々お待ちください。 (Yes, one moment please.)
With Friends:
- Friend A: 今日のライブ、すごいね！ (Today’s concert is amazing!)
- Friend B: 本当！最高！ (Really! The best!)
10. Final Thoughts
Mastering 100 useful Japanese phrases with meanings gives you a strong foundation for communication. From greetings like こんにちは to cultural gems like いただきます and casual slang like やばい, these phrases help you connect with locals, enjoy travel, and dive deeper into Japanese culture.
🚀 Whether you’re a traveler, anime fan, or serious learner, start with these useful Japanese phrases and practice daily — soon, speaking Japanese will feel natural and fun.